The Baptism Using the Holy Spirit – A Regeneration and Sanctification Perspective

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a very controversial subject within the Christian community. Although Christians of most denominations trust a soteriology with a baptism with all the Holy Spirit, theologically, all do not agree regarding time and manner in which a believer is baptized with the Holy Spirit.

It’s our belief that the Holy Spirit baptism is promised to every believer regenerated by faith in Christ. However, don’t assume all believer is baptized together with the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion.

Even as we check out the New Testament record found in the book of Acts, we shall discover, no doubt it is very easy to be transformed into Christ and regenerated with the Spirit, only not have the experience called the Baptism using the Holy Spirit until time afterward.

How come We Read the Book of Acts?

The book of Acts is the only history book in the New Testament. Unlike the epistles, which can be letters written to churches or people to instruct believers within the faith; in Acts, Luke records with great detail the historical setting and chronology in the first century church since it unfolds, from the moment leading up to the day of Pentecost 33 AD and also the years rigtht after.

While the epistles are written to the people who had already received the expertise of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the book of Acts alone provides the historical record of methods a number of the churches and people with whom the epistles were written were saved and subsequently received the knowledge referred to as the baptism together with the Holy Spirit.

Without checking out the book of Acts, one cannot understand or understand the distinction being born again in the Spirit and being baptized using the Spirit. The theological contribution of each and every historical account of early believers with the Holy Spirit is recorded basic detail as to give you a consistent biblical theology regarding New Testament accounts of the Baptism using the Holy Spirit.

Although a lot of preachers be put off by the Holy Spirit phenomenon witnessed in Acts, or make an effort to explain away the implications in the truths presented there, to disregard or perhaps ignore this authentic historical record will be negligent of rightly dividing the saying of truth.

I believe the failure of several bible teachers to truthfully and accurately portray the biblical record from the book of Acts may be the sole reasons why a sizable segment with the body of Christ is deficient in the potency of God along with comprehending the workings of His Spirit.

During the entire most this writing we shall try and address the following:

1) What’s the baptism using the Holy Spirit?
2) Will be the baptism together with the Holy Spirit after salvation or concurrent with salvation?
3) Is there is really a difference between being baptized through the Spirit and being baptized with the Spirit?
4) Is there a among receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit conversing with other tongues and finding the gift of tongues?
5) Is there is often a difference between the goal of speaking in other tongues as being a sign and the intent behind the spiritual gift of divers (diverse) forms of tongues?

There are several who contain the view, to become born of the Spirit and to be baptized with the Spirit are essentially one and the selfsame experience. Others retain the view, being born again from the Spirit is indeed not the same as the baptism with the Spirit, but both always occur simultaneously. However, will the Acts’ record support these positions?

Our study reveals, the Acts record implies that some believers did feel the Baptism together with the Holy Spirit following conversion and then any public confession of faith in Christ, while others received the baptism with all the Spirit ahead of any public confession of faith in Christ.

Once we check out the Acts record, we shall soon discover that:

The Baptism together with the Holy Spirit is definitely different from the Birth of the Spirit. Whenever we examine both experiences closely find the following to be real:

1) The birth in the Spirit is surely an act of regeneration and also the re-birth of the believer into Christ in salvation.
2) The baptism using the Spirit is an act of sanctification as well as the setting apart in the believer for service.

Why distinction important?

In regeneration, every believer is baptized by the Spirit into (gk. eis) Christ.
In sanctification, every believer is baptized by Christ into (eis) the Holy Spirit.

Into One Body, Into One Spirit

The following scriptural references will show that we now have two distinct operations from the Godhead regarding being born-again with the Spirit and subsequently being baptized using the Spirit.

“For by one Spirit am i all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and possess been all built to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor.12:13) KJV.

“And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven as being a dove, and it abode upon him. I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the identical said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt understand the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth using the Holy Ghost” (Jn. 1:32-33) KJV.

The phrase by in 1 Cor. 12:13 describes the regenerative agency of the person with the Holy Spirit, as the word with in Jn. 1:33 describes the sanctifying agency of the person of Christ. Even though Greek word en is translated from the Bible as by, with, in, and throughout, while these scriptures there is no mistaking the fact that:

Two separate persons from the Godhead are going to complete the operation (gk. energia) to become born of the Spirit and in the whole process of being baptized with all the Spirit.

Notice carefully, in a single operation (regeneration) the Holy Spirit is the baptizer into Jesus. From the other operation (sanctification), Christ may be the baptizer with and in to the Holy Spirit.

1) In regeneration > the Holy Spirit > will be the baptizer > into Jesus Christ
2) In sanctification > Christ > may be the baptizer > in to the Holy Spirit

One might naturally ask, bed not the culprit the believer baptized both with and in the Holy Spirit simultaneously?

The term baptize methods to immerse, dip, or plunge. Accordingly, each time a believer is baptized together with the Holy Spirit he/she is baptized both together with the Spirit and immersed in to the Spirit, in the same way a believer is baptized both with water and immersed into water.

The promise of the Father to offer another comforter was fulfilled right then and there of Pentecost A.D. 33 as he started to pour beyond His Spirit upon all flesh. The dad works as much as possible from the finished work of His Son, Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus declared the Holy Spirit wasn’t yet given because He was not yet glorified. Because of this the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (the finished work of Christ) was required to occur prior to Holy Spirit might be provided to men. Before the day of Pentecost the disciples were given what is known as the breath of promise (Jn. 20:22).

The Baptism of Regeneration

The baptism by the Spirit into Christ is additionally known as the baptism of regeneration. It’s the same experience spoken of by Paul in Titus 3:5 since the washing of regeneration.

We have to be mindful here, because although the word washing is utilized on this verse; notice, the language water or water baptism is not. Consequently, this verse is not inferring baptismal regeneration by water as some incorrectly teach. This verse does, however, teach baptismal regeneration by the Spirit.

The saying washing (gk: loutron) in Titus 3:5 is not to do with water baptism, with the exception of a figurative sense. Because, baptism with water illustrates exactly what the Spirit has accomplished in regeneration. Thus, Paul concludes that the washing of regeneration along with the renewing from the believer is from the Holy Spirit.

To sum up, the new-birth with the Spirit regenerates the believer and places the believer into the Body of Christ. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit subsequently sanctifies the believer and it is an endowment of power (gk. dunamis) equipping the believer for service in order to match the great commission.

There is certainly One Baptism using the Holy Spirit

In Ephesians 4:5 Paul writes that there’s one Lord, one faith, and something baptism. Exactly what does this imply?

It is uncertain whether this verse describes water baptism or Sprit baptism; the context will not say. Although the Greek word used here is baptisma and it’s also found in the modern Testament with water baptism, the Greek word for baptize is used to both water baptism along with the baptism together with the Holy Spirit.

When it concerns the Spirit, there’s just one baptism using the Spirit. However, there are several re-fillings of the Spirit. So, when Paul writes, be not drunk with wine, but contain the Spirit, it becomes an imperative to all believers to reside in continually under the power and influence from the Holy Spirit instead of under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Although a believer might be baptized with all the Holy Spirit only one time, the believer may continually drink into one Spirit and turn into filled and re-filled often times through the entire believer’s lifetime.

Perhaps you have received the Holy Ghost because you believed?

Is every believer presumed to get baptized with all the Holy Spirit immediately upon believing in Christ? Some teach this, however:

In Acts chapter 19 there’s an occasion where Paul found certain former disciples of John the Baptist and asked them a remarkable question: Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?

Now, if every believer is automatically presumed to become baptized with all the Holy Spirit upon faith, conversion, and regeneration, then Paul’s question to those disciples is mindless at all.

The only way Paul’s question is practical is if there were an expectation of your pending subsequent example of the Holy Spirit after faith, conversion, and regeneration by the Spirit.

This the fact is also born in another interesting account found in Acts chapter 8 the location where the Samaritans came to faith in Christ, were even baptized in water, but would not receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit prior to the apostles, Peter and John came and laid their hands upon them.

These two accounts as well as others in Acts, prove that there’s a baptism with the Holy Spirit that is a separate and distinct experience in the birth in the Spirit.

These Signs Shall Follow Them That Believe

There is an important and necessary correlation between faith as well as any operation with the Spirit; whether it is in connection with salvation, healing, miracles, etc. This runs specifically true with the baptism with all the Holy Spirit.

Many believers can have confidence in Christ for salvation, but cannot believe in him for other things for example divine healing or perhaps in this case the baptism with all the Spirit.

A lot of just for this. Not enough proper teaching and understanding in this area leads to not enough faith. Too little faith and unbelief prevents a saved person from getting the Holy Spirit baptism.

We have been told more than once in scripture that faith in Christ is a prerequisite for receiving the baptism using the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, away from his belly shall flow rivers of life water.

There are 2 Greek words employed in scripture to denote the distinction between obtaining the gift with the Holy Spirit (evidenced by speaking with other tongues) as well as the spiritual gift of tongues. They may be: dorea and charisma.

It is really an important distinction because, one much first get the gift (dorea) in the Holy Spirit before it’s possible to recieve an individual gift (charisma) or gifts with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit baptism together with the sign or proof talking to other tongues shouldn’t to become confused with the gift of tongues used in prayer, praise, and prophecy.

Just a little known simple truth is, the saying dorea (gift) is usually employed in scripture to differentiate the present from the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking with other tongues, even though the word charisma (gift) is definitely used with the gift of tongues.

Whenever conversing with other tongues is referred to in Acts regarding the the baptism with the Holy Spirit the term dorea is definitely used. However, whenever speaking in tongues is utilized elsewhere within the New Testament, the word charisma can be used to indicate the spiritual gift.

So, when Paul asks the question, do all speak to tongues; he’s talking about the spiritual gift (charisma) rather than to the gift (dorea) in the Holy Spirit with the indication of talking to other tongues.

It is often my experience to see that the believer may the truth is speak with other tongues during the time of their baptism with the Holy Spirit, but may not ever subsequently receive or operate in the gift of tongues whatsoever.

The charisma gift of tongues is referred to in scripture as divers kinds (gk. genos) of tongues and diversities (genos) of tongues. This is because you’ll find essentially two distinct classifications or kinds (genos) of the gift of tongues. You will find devotional and prophetic tongues and each has some other function and purpose.

Devotional tongues really are a prayer and praise language – its function is, man speaking to God, and its purpose is usually to edify the individual believer. Prophetic tongues can be a language of prophecy – its function is, God talking to man. When along with the gift of interpretation of tongues its purpose is to edify the entire church.

It’s prophesying in tongues (when God speaks to man) that needs interpretation. However, prayer offered in tongues (when man speaks to God) does not need an interpretation, because the speaker is definitely praying to God and not speaking to man, God does not need an interpreter.

The real difference being, praying in tongues edifies the one doing the praying, while prophesying in tongues edifies the whole church. Because of this prophecy in tongues should be interpreted.

Through the baptism together with the Spirit, a believer may speak with the devotional or prophetic language that is unknown on the speaker. This can be an indication to any or all present but particularly those who believe not.

It’s taught that people who believe not make reference to unsaved people. However, this is only partially correct. People who believe not, can also reference any person (saved or otherwise not) that is unlearned and does not believe in the potency of God to cast out devils, consult with new tongues, heal the sick, etc,.

When Jesus said, these signs shall follow them that believe, he seemed to be declaring that supernatural manifestations of the strength of God (signs) would follow individuals who have faith. However, whenever they will not have faith these signs will not likely follow them.

Probably, no account in Acts is a lot more revealing than chapter 8 intended for the baptism using the Holy Spirit just as one experience separate and distinct from regeneration.

In Acts 8 Phillip the Evangelist preaches the gospel to Samaria where lots of believe and they are baptized. However, it’s expressly clarified that it was not prior to the apostles Peter and John located town and laid their on the job them which they received the baptism with all the Holy Spirit.

The issue remains, if there wasn’t any proof of this experience, then how did Simon the sorcerer while others know the Holy Spirit had fallen around the believers in Samaria? Because, he just like the others beheld the signs that have been done.

And why don’t we take into account the household of Cornelius the first Gentile converts to Christ, who received the baptism with all the Holy Spirit addressing tongues while Peter yet preached Christ unto them.

The sole sign that accompanied the baptism using the Holy Ghost inside the bible was that relating to speaking with other tongues since the Spirit gave utterance.

Some bible teachers have experimented with explain away the phenomenon of saved believers who didn’t get the baptism together with the Holy Spirit until sometime later. They teach to ensure that the Jews, Samaritans, and Gentile nations (like a people group) to receive the initial in-filling of the Holy Spirit an apostle would have to be given to certify them.

Furthermore, some teach, once each people group received the Holy Spirit baptism from the laying on of hands of your apostle, there was no longer an expectation of receiving the baptism using the Holy Spirit with the symbol of speaking in tongues. Interestingly, the bible doesn’t support this theory, and it comes from only speculation.

Finally, our last demonstration of a saved people receiving the baptism with all the Holy Ghost succeeding salvation and conversion could be the apostle Paul himself. Whom, having hands laid on him by Ananias (who had been not an apostle) received his sight and was concurrently baptized and filled up with the Holy Spirit.

Any time the book of Acts offers an account where believers initially have the Holy Spirit, it may be viewed as the baptism or the in-filling with all the Holy Spirit. However, remember, there is only 1 baptism together with the Holy Spirit but a majority of re-fillings.

Is there a distinction between a Pentecostal and a Charismatic?

You will find there’s difference between a Pentecostal along with a Charismatic. Pentecostals hold on the teaching the baptism with the Holy Ghost is obviously with the evidence (or sign) of talking to other tongues.

Charismatics, however, are believers who have received the baptism with the Holy Spirit evidenced by conversing with other tongues, when they were people in other denominations or groups besides classical Pentecostal groups.

Furthermore, unlike Pentecostals, Charismatics talk to tongues and be employed in other spiritual gifts, such as the necessarily hold the baptism with the Spirit is usually evidenced by talking to other tongues. Some Charismatics hold that this baptism together with the Spirit might be evidenced by other gifts from the Spirit for example healing, prophecy, etc.

In conclusion, it can be impossible to build up a consistent and biblical theology from the experience called the baptism together with the Holy Spirit without examining the accounts referenced within the book of Acts.

We affirm there is a distinct Christian experience of the Bible known as the baptism with all the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit baptism is an endowment of power to equip the believer to witness for Christ and do the great commission.

The Holy Spirit Baptism is subsequent to salvation and could occur as well as salvation. However, being baptized using the Spirit in sanctification can be a distinct work in the Godhead aside from being baptized from the Spirit in regeneration.

Additionally there is a distinction between receiving the gift (dorea) of the Holy Ghost and obtaining the gift (charisma) of tongues. And even though speaking in tongues can serve a dual function and purpose (devotional or prophetic) simultaneously, you will find there’s difference between the part and intent behind speaking in other tongues as being a sign and also the spiritual gift of diverse kinds (genos) of tongues.